Staying Connected With Former Colleagues & Friends

Today the "Old Bats & Buzzards" group that is composed of retired staff members from Allen Avenue Elementary School in the Bonita Unified School District met for our monthly lunch. It's a "come if you can" event, and today there were 9 of us. Pictures of family - usually grandchildren - are shown, news - both good and painful to hear - is shared, and reminiscing and updates are given. There is an easy camaraderie among those who've worked together for years and have become like "family." The caring is always evident and the support is ever present and almost tangible. Those of you who've worked in a similar environment know what I mean. It's special, it's heartwarming, it's inspiring, and it's unbeatable. This group also has begun an annual luncheon that is held on the first day of the school year. It's called: "They're In School And We're Not!" We look forward to our 3rd celebration this next August.

Voting

Today was a day to go to the polls to vote on measures affecting the state budget and the issues surrounding the budget and the various allocations, especially those affecting education, plus other items depending on where one lives. The TV ads were confusing, the newspaper positions were confusing, the mailers were confusing, and it left voters in a quandary. Did you vote? How did you decide what to do? To whom did you listen? The turnout was light at our poling place. So, once again, a small percentage of the voters will decide what happens with regard to matters that affect a lot of people. The right to vote in our country is a wonderful privilege. It's unfortunate that so few choose to participate.

Getting Organized

Recently I decided that it was time for me to get better organized. This was prompted in part by an upcoming trip to a reunion. As I went through pictures to take, I realized how nice it was that I had put the photos in albums right after an earlier reunion. Of course, one album was too full, so I never completed that set. But I did this time. Now, back to organizing. My family would probably say, "What do you mean 'better'?" But that's their problem. So, I set about sorting through all the special things I've been saving. It's amazing what I found. Hmm. Will I put it in an "organized" place/file where I can find it easily? That, as savers everywhere well know, remains to be seen.

Sunday Night Suppers

Each Sunday evening when possible - and fortunately, it usually is - Maria, Eric, and the kids come over for dinner. Often this involves a bike ride for Butch & Zac, or a trip to the park for everyone, or time to play in the sandbox, or a new video with multi-generational appeal IF you're really into things about animals with amazing powers or Walt Disney flicks or talking cars or lovable monsters or princesses, or just watching a new grandchild seem to grow by the minute. It's drawing and coloring and bathing and visiting. It's multigenerational family time and it's unbeatable. What would make it better? If ALL of our family could come each time.

Serendipitous Happenings

Sometimes a picture captures a particular moment that will probably never happen again. Of course, I guess it could be argued that no moment that is captured on film ever happens truly again. Here is a great example of a special happening between my granddaughter & a baby manta ray at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. If you haven't been there, it is well worth the trip. There are a lot of hands on opportunities that are a delight for all ages. A manta ray might even seem to be smiling at you!

Pasadena Showcase House of Design

Two friends and I went to see the Pasadena home featured this year. This beautiful estate on 2 acres has been decorated from top to bottom and all around outside by a variety of talented, creative designers. The beautiful finishes involve a lot of silver, shades of gray, some pale blues, some black, creamy whites, and a lot of glass accents. It is sumptuous, it is gorgeous, and it is a feast for the eyes. What a treat! It's not to be missed.

Europe With Good Friends in 1961

Today I picked up picture CDs on which the great photo folks at Costco had put all of the pictures that I took in 1961 on an almost 2 month tour of the western part of Europe. This was one of those trips with the experienced tour guide who'd been doing this for 22 years. She made all of the arrangements and some 23 or so of us followed her lead. She kept us from making fools of ourselves as overly aggressive Americans from England through Scotland, across to Norway, Sweden, & Finland, down through Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France. Six of my really close friends and I all went together. We sailed over and back, wore only dresses, saw all of THE sights, and had an absolutely marvelous & memorable trip. Today I was taken back to those days and those experiences and those spectacular places, and those special friends. We're all still in touch, get together occasionally, and cherish our lifelong friendships. It's been a memory-filled, smiling day.